Switch construction for lamps



April 19, 1955 L. H. MORIN 2,706,770

SWITCH CONSTRUCTION FOR LAMPS Filed July 28, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR LQUl$ H. MORIN I K V I ATTOR f Y April 1955 L. H. MORIN SWITCH CONSTRUCTION FOR LAMPS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 28, 1952 m w R OM T mH W6 L ATTO RN April 19, 1955 L. H. MORIN 2,706,770

SWITCH CONSTRUCTION FOR LAMPS Filed July 28, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOF! LOUIS H. MORIN iY ATTOR EY United States Patent SWITCH CONSTRUCTION FOR LAMPS Louis H. Morin, Bronx, N. Y., assignor to Rotolite Device Co., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 28, 1952, Serial No. 301,305

3 Claims. (Cl. 240-123) This invention relates to lamps and, particularly, to a novel method of actuating switch mechanisms of a lamp to control operation thereof. More particularly, the invention comprises the use of a standard-type of switch mounted in the base portion of a lamp and the provision of means actuated by rotation of a column or stand of a lamp for actuating said switch. The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view through the lower portion of the lamp illustrating one type of switch actuating mechanism and switch mounting.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the structure, as shown in Fig. 1, with parts broken away.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing another type of switch mounting and a different switch actuating mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the structure, as shown in Fig. 3, with parts of the construction broken away.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing a modified form of switch actuating element applicable to the structures shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and Figs. 6 and 7.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. l and showing another form of switch mounting.

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the structure as shown in Fig. 6 with parts broken away; and

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of a modified form of switch and switch operating mechanism, parts of the construction being broken away and shown in section.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, I have illustrated one adaptation of my invention and, in said figures, 10 represents a lamp base, including an inwardly extending web or rib portion 11 supporting a central bearing 12. Fixed in the bearing 12 is an inwardly extending tubular shaft 13, the shaft being in threaded engagement with the bearing 12 and secured in suitable adjusted position by a nut 14. The shaft 13 provides means for conducting circuit wires from a switch diagrammatically shown at 15 to a light bulb or bulbs at the upper portion of the lamp, the latter not being shown, as such structures are well-known in the art.

Supported on the base 10 is a collar 16, part of which is broken away, and this collar provides a bearing support for a column or sleeve 17, which also has a support on the bearing 12, as seen at 18. Supported upon the upper portion of the column 17 is a casing 19, through which the shaft 13 passes, the casing 19 forming a suitable support for the upper structure of the lamp. The shaft 13 is grooved to receive a bearing ring 20 which seats between the casing 19 and the upper portion of the column or sleeve 17.

Adjustably supported on a pair of studs 21 forming part of the base 10 is a disc 22, note Fig. 2, having a pair of elongated circumferential apertures 23, in which adjustment screws 24 operate in adjusting the position of the disc 22. The switch 15 is clamped to the disc 22 by a nut 25, note Fig. 1; thus the position of the switch 15 can be adjusted to control actuation of the switch by a pawl 26, as later described.

A tooth or star wheel 27 is fixed to the axis portion 28 of the switch 15 and is arranged in alinement with the pawl 26, as will clearly appear from a consideration of Fig. l of the drawing. The pawl 26 is pivoted, as

seen at 29, to a bracket 30, welded or otherwise secured to the lower end of the column 17, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing. Also coupled with the pawl 26 is a spring 31, the end of which is fixed to a post 32 on the base 10. The web or ribs 11 have an enlargement 33 at one side thereof which is cutout to form stops 34 and 35 checking movement of the pawl 26 in both directions.

The switch 15 is of the type that actuates only in one direction, that is to say, in the direction of the arrow 36, Fig. 2, thus by gripping the column 17, the column can be rotated from the position shown in Fig. 2 until the bracket 30 strikes the stop 35 and, during this operation, the pawlv 26, which is backed up by the part 30' of the bracket 30, will engage one of the teeth of the star wheel 27 to rotate this wheel a partial revolution. This operation takes place against the action of the spring 31; thus when the column 17 is released, the spring 31 will automatically return the pawl 26 to the stop position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing, and, in this operation, the pawl 26 will rock over the tooth of the star wheel against the action of the spring 31. The switch 15 can be of the type controlling operation of a series of bulbs or a series of filaments in a single bulb, the switch being actuated from an off position to one or more circuit completing positions.

In Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing, I have shown a modified form of construction and, in said figures, 37 represents a base, generally similar to the base 10, and including a downwardly offset rib or web structure 38 having a bearing portion 39, the web structure 38 being so arranged and designed that a switch 40 can be directly mounted upon one of the ribs and clamped thereon by a nut 41, the switch 40 being arranged below the web with a star wheel 42 arranged above the web. At 43 I have shown a post, or column, generally similar to the column 17 and to the lower portion of which is secured a bracket 44 which operates between two stops 45 and 46 on the web 38.

Pivoted to the bracket 44 is a pawl 47 generally similar to the pawl 26 and action of which is controlled by a spring 48. It will be noted that the pawl 47 is arranged above the webs 38 and is in alinement with the star wheel 42. In this connection, however, the switch 40 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 49 by virtue of the mounting of the switch in connection with the base. With this mounting, the wires from the switch 40 are more accessible, thus facilitating the passage up through the center shaft 50 which is similar in all respects to the shaft 13. Operation of the device, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, will be the same as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In Fig. 5 of the drawing, I have diagrammatically shown another type of switch actuation, which can be employed and, in this figure, 51 represents a star wheel, similar to the star wheels of the other figures and, at 52 is shown a switch actuating member capable of rotation in one direction only, keeping in mind that limited rotation of a switch is controlled by the switch mechanism and these switches or switch mechanisms usually operate upon a one-quarter turn.

The member 52 comprises what might be termed a large star wheel having four outwardly tapered fingers or arms 53 and, in rotating the member 52 in the direction of the arrow 54, the star wheel 51 will be rotated a quarter-turn and then one of the fingers, as for example, the finger 51' will assume a position beneath one of the fingers or arms 53, as at 55, thus blocking rotation of the member 52 in a direction opposite to the arrow 54. In this construction, it is important that the finger 51 be substantially at right angles to the finger or arm 53 engaged thereby, as clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing.

In Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawing, I have shown a slight modification of the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The modification comprises primarily the mounting of a switch 15', similar to the switch 15. Here a U-shaped bracket 56 is employed and secured to a base 57, generally similar to the base 10, the bracket 56 having a large base portion 58, upon which is adjustably supported a disc 59 for adjusting the position of the switch 51. The upper portion 60 of the bracket is also preferably in the form of a segment having elongated aperarea /7o tures 61 at the ends thereof, so that the bracket can also be adjustably supported on the base 57 through the medium of screws 62.

The disc 59 has elongated apertures 63 which provlde adjustment thereof, the adjustment being fixed by screws 64. The switch is clamped in adjusted position by a nut 65 and, on the spindle 66 of the switch is fixed a star wheel 67, generally similar to the wheel 27 of Figs. 1 and 2.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have shown in part a shaft 68 similar to the shaft 13, and supported in a bearing portlon 69 of the base 57 and at 70 I have shown a column or sleeve, similar to the column 17, the latter having a bracket portion 71 at its lower end, which supports a pawl 72, similar to the pawl 26 and at 73 is indicated the spring, similar to the spring 71, controlling operation of the pawl 72. Actuation of the mechanism of Figs. 6 and 7 is substantially identical with that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Therefore, no further detail description is deemed to be necessary.

In Fig. 8 of the drawing, I have shown means 'for actuating another type of conventional switch, such for example as a pull chain switch 74, the chain of which is indicated in part at 75. The chain is attached to an arm 76, clamped, as seen at 77, to the lower portion of a column or sleeve 78, generally similar to the sleeve 17. The tubular shaft of the lamp structure is shown in section at 79- and this tubular shaft will be generally similar to the shaft 13.

In Fig. 8, 80 represents a portion of the base and fixed to the base is a bearing plate 81, which will provide a bearing for the lower portion of the column 78 and below the plate 81 the base will be provided with another suitable bearing for the shaft 79, this bearing being omitted, as it forms no direct part of the present conception. The arm 76 has a suitable coupling 82 at its free end to engage the chain 75 and the plate 81 has spaced stops 83 for checking rotary movement of the column 78, the degree of swinging movement of the arm 76 being sutficient to actuate the switch 74 one degree of operation and the spring mechanism of the switch 74 will return the arm 76 to the normal stop position shown in Fig. 8. The switch 74 is supported upon a bracket portion 84 constituting part of the base 80, this bracket portion being shown in section in Fig. 8 of the drawing.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a lamp having a hollow base and an upwardly directed shaft, a lamp switch mounted wholly within said base, said switch being in circuit with and controlling the bulb of the lamp, a switch actuating element coupled with and disposed externally of the switch proper, said element being arranged within said base, a manually rotatable tubular member encircling said shaft and extending into said base, that part of said member within the base having a radially extending bracket, a pawl pivoted to the bracket and operatively engaging said element to intermittently rotate the element a partial revolution in actuation of the switch to control operation of said bulb, and tensional means coupled with said pawl for actuating the same and said bracket in a direction opposite to the manual rotation thereof in resetting the member for the next successive operation of the switch.

2. In a lamp having a hollow base and an upwardly directed shaft, a lamp switch mounted wholly within said base, said switch being in circuit with and controlling the bulb of the lamp, a switch actuating element coupled with and disposed externally of the switch proper, said element being arranged within said base, a manually rotatable tubular member encircling said shaft and extending into said base, that part of said member within the base having a radially extending bracket, a pawl pivoted to the bracket and operatively engaging said element to intermittently rotate the element a partial revolution in actuation of the switch to control operation of said bulb, tensional means coupled with said pawl for actuating the same and said bracket in a direction opposite to the manual rotation thereof in resetting the member for the next successive operation of the switch, and said element comprising a star wheel.

3. In a lamp having a hollow base and an upwardly directed shaft, a lamp switch mounted wholly within said base, said switch being in circuit with and controlling the bulb of the lamp, a switch actuating element coupled with and disposed externally of the switch proper, said element being arranged within said base, a manually rotatable tubular member encircling said shaft and extending into said base, that part of said member within the base having a radially extending bracket, a pawl pivoted to the bracket and operatively engaging said element to intermittently rotate the element a partial revolution in actuation of the switch to control operation of said bulb, tensional means coupled with said pawl for actuating the same and said bracket in a direction opposite to the manual rotation thereof in resetting the member for the next successive operation of the switch, said element comprising a star wheel, and means checking rotary movement of said member in both directions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 693,275 Jones Feb. 11, 1902 1,682,599 Condit Aug. 28, 1928 2,014,054 Rood et al. Sept. 10, 1935 2,584,548 Calissi Feb. 5, 1952 

